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U.S. Public Opinion About Nuclear Energy
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1983-2020 Ann Stouffer Bisconti, PhD Bisconti Research, Inc. www.bisconti.com U.S. Public Opinion About Nuclear Energy
Transcript of U.S. Public Opinion About Nuclear Energy
1983-2020
Ann Stouffer Bisconti, PhD
Bisconti Research, Inc.www.bisconti.com
U.S. Public OpinionAbout Nuclear Energy
• 1,011 nationally representative U.S. adults surveyed online
• June 12-16, 2020
• Bisconti Research with Quest Global Research
• Numbers shown are percentages, which may not add exactly due to rounding
2
Method
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
• 71% believe that nuclear energy will be important in meeting the nation’s electricity needs in the years ahead, 18% not important.
• 60% favor use of nuclear energy, 25% oppose.
• Favorability stayed about the same recently, has become far more favorable over long term.
• Majorities favor nuclear energy by gender, age, education, political party, and intent to vote for Biden or Trump. Most favorable are men, college graduates, Republicans, and Trump voters.
• 68% are fence-sitters (neither strongly favor nor strongly oppose nuclear), especially women.
• Feeling more informed correlates strongly with more favorable attitudes.
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Findings
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
• The perception gap is vanishing after three decades in which a majority personally favored nuclear energy but fewer believed the public shared that view.
• For two years in a row, a majority now perceives public opinion as favorable.
• These results suggest that the image of nuclear energy as unpopular is changing.
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Findings
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
• Attitudes about existing plants are moving toward the middle,
suggesting less vivid perceptions of the plants we have now:
• 47% rated plant safety high and 23% low, but a larger-than-usual
percentage of those surveyed gave middle ratings or were unsure.
• 69% agreed with renewing the license of nuclear power plants that
continue to meet federal safety standards, 16% disagreed. Support for
license renewal is down 6 percentage points since 2019, and strong
support is down 9 percentage points.
• However, support for new plants is unchanged since 2019:
• 67% agreed we should prepare now in case new nuclear power plants are
needed, 20% disagreed.
• 54% agreed we should definitely build more nuclear power plants, 29%
disagreed.
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Findings
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
• 9 considerations for the way electricity is produced were all judged important. Top importance: reliable electricity, affordable electricity, and clean air.
• 76% agreed we should take advantage of all carbon-freeenergy sources, including nuclear, hydro, and renewable energy, to produce the electricity we need while limiting greenhouse gas emissions, 13% disagreed.
• Solar and wind are more popular than nuclear energy but, given five options for the primary focus for meeting the nation’s electricity needs, 75% chose an option with nuclear energy.
• At least 70% of all demographic groups, including Biden and Trump likely voters, chose an option with nuclear energy.
6
Findings
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
• Most judged 5 environmental advantages of current or future nuclear power plants extremely or very important. Top rated:
• Clean air—emits no air pollution 76%
• Clean drinking water—can also convert seawater into safe drinking water 76%
• Preservation of natural resources—uses far less land than other sources for 24/7 electricity 68%
• Waste reduction—advanced reactor technologies minimize waste and some use it as fuel 68%
• Enabler of renewable energy—can be co-located with renewable energy in integrated systems to ensure reliable electricity when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow 64%
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Findings
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Using a split sample, the survey tested different rationale for US global leadership in nuclear energy trade:
• 72% of Americans believe strongly it is important for the United States of America to be a leader in global nuclear energy trade so that we can influence global nuclear safety and keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists.
• 70% of Americans believe strongly it is important for the United States of America to be a leader in global nuclear energy trade so that we can influence global nuclear safety and reap economic benefits.
8
Findings
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
• Americans’ broadly favorable attitudes toward nuclear energy extend across demographic groups, including both Biden and Trump likely voters.
• Communications are essential because 1) many are fence-sitters, whose attitudes are highly changeable and 2) feeling informed is strongly correlated with favorability to nuclear energy.
• Perceptions of public opinion toward nuclear energy have become more favorable, which could remove an image barrier. That change represents an opportunity to strengthen future support.
• While attitudes toward new plants are unchanged, the perceptions of current plants are becoming less strongly favorable. As proponents of new plants speak out about the increased safety of new plants, they would be wise to point out the actual safety of existing plants.
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Conclusions and Implications
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
• Reliable and affordable electricity and clean air are top considerations for electricity production, and Americans believe we should make maximum use of clean air energy. The finding that 75% would give priority to energy mix options that include nuclear energy (the remaining 25% would support giving priority only to renewables), indicates that nuclear energy and all energy sources should be considered in the context of how they—together—contribute to providing reliable, affordable, and clean electricity for America.
• Current and new nuclear power plants are designed with many environmental advantages including clean air, production of clean drinking water, preservation of natural resources by using less land, waste reduction, and support for variable renewables. Survey respondents gave high importance to these advantages and showed how advancements in nuclear energy could build more excitement around the technology, as leaders envision energy systems of the future.
• Finally, there is overwhelming support for US global leadership in nuclear energy trade to influence nuclear safety around the world.
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Conclusions and Implications
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
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Importance of Nuclear Energy In Meeting US Electricity Needs
How important do you think nuclear energy will be in meeting this nation’s electricity needs in the years ahead? Do you think nuclear energy will be very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all? (%)
11
5
12
38
33
0 25 50
No opinion
Not important at all
Not too important
Somewhat important
Very important
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
12
26
61
13
8
17
34
27
TOTAL OPPOSE
TOTAL FAVOR
No opinion
Strongly oppose
Somewhat oppose
Somewhat favor
Strongly favor
Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States? (%)
Favorability to Nuclear Energy Recently Steady
April 2019 June 2020
25
60
15
8
17
36
24
TOTAL OPPOSE
TOTAL FAVOR
No opinion
Strongly oppose
Somewhat oppose
Somewhat favor
Strongly favor
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion
Favorability to Nuclear Energy Increased Over Long Term
Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States?
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion 13
49
60
46
25
19
83
19
84
19
85
19
86
19
87
19
88
19
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19
90
19
91
19
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19
93
19
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19
95
19
96
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
09
20
10
20
11
20
12
20
13
20
14
20
15
20
16
20
17
20
18
20
19
20
20
% Favor % Oppose
60
71
49
57
65
57
72
50
58
75
55
60
75
25
19
30
23
19
30
20
29
33
13
29
31
15
15
10
20
19
15
13
8
20
9
12
16
9
11
TOTAL
Men
Women
Age: 18-34
Age: 35-49
Age: 50+
College graduate
Not college graduate
Democrat
Republican
Independent
Biden likely voters
Trump likely voters
Favor Oppose No opinion
Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States? (%)
Favorability to Nuclear Energy: Demographics
14Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
20
37
39
38
20
11
12
4
9
11
Biden likely voters
Trump likely voters
Strongly favor Somewhat favor Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose No opinion
Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States? (%)
Favorability to Nuclear Energy:Biden and Trump Likely Voters
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Total Favor
60
75
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Opinions are Changeable
Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States? (%)
16
24
14
35
68
77
59
8
9
6
Total
Women
Men
Strongly favor Fence-sitters Strongly oppose
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
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Few Feel Very Well Informed about Nuclear Energy
How well informed do you feel about nuclear energy used to produce electricity? (%)
13
30
39
17
0 25 50
Not at all well informed
Not too well informed
Somewhat well informed
Very well informed
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
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The More Informed People Are, The More Favorable
Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States?
How well informed do you feel about nuclear energy used to produce electricity?
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
3 519
55
5 8
10
10
2
16
26
17
21
47
38
15
69
257 4
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
No opinion
Feel VeryWell Informed
(171)%
Feel Somewhat Informed
(399)%
Feel Not Too Informed
(308)%
Feel NotAt All Informed
(133)%
Vanishing Perception Gap: More Now Say Majority Favors Nuclear Energy
53
47
Majority Favor Majority Oppose
Do you think that the majority of people in your community favor or oppose the use of nuclear energy? (%)
19Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Vanishing Perception Gap
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Personally Favor Nuclear Energy
49
6561 60
1983 2016 2019 2020
Think Majority Favors Nuclear Energy
35
44
53 53
1983 2016 2019 2020
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion
Perceptions of Nuclear Plant Safety: 1984-2020
Thinking about the nuclear power plants that are operating now, how safe do you regard these plants? Please select one number on a scale of “1” to “7,” where “1” means very unsafe and “7” means very safe. The safer you think they are, the higher the number you would give.
35
4746
23
19
84
19
85
19
86
19
87
19
88
19
89
19
90
19
91
19
93
19
94
19
95
19
97
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
09
20
10
20
11
20
12
20
13
20
14
20
15
20
16
20
17
20
18
20
19
20
20
% High Safety Rating (5-7) % Low Safety Rating (1-3)
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion 21
Opinions about License Renewal and New Nuclear Power Plants
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25
30
34
29
37
34
18
13
11
11
7
5
17
14
15
We should definitely build more nuclearpower plants in the future
Electric utilities should prepare now so thatnew nuclear power plants could be built if
needed in the next decade
When their current operating license expires,we should renew the license of nuclear
power plants that continue to meet federalsafety standards
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree No opinion
Please indicate if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each of the following statements. (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Agreement with License Renewal
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion 23
Please indicate if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
When their current operating license expires, we should renew the license of nuclear power plants that continue to meet federal safety standards. (%)
34
43
34
32
11
10
5
6
15
10
2020
2019
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree No opinion Total Agree
75
69
Agreement with New PlantsBeing Built If Needed
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion 24
Please indicate if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
Electric utilities should prepare now so that new nuclear power plants could be built if needed in the next decade. (%)
30
31
37
37
13
13
7
8
14
12
2020
2019
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree No opinion Total Agree
67
67
Agreement with Definitely Build More Plants
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion 25
Please indicate if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
We should definitely build more nuclear power plants in the future. (%)
25
26
29
29
18
18
11
13
17
14
2020
2019
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree No opinion Total Agree
55
54
Considerations for Electricity Production
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42
43
44
44
47
56
57
57
43
38
39
30
37
36
30
29
29
12
11
8
16
9
7
7
6
6
13
10
10
10
10
10
7
8
8
Resilience
Job creation
Energy security
Climate change solution
Economic growth
Efficiency
Clean air
Affordable electricity
Reliable electricity
Top Medium Low Don't know
26
Following are some considerations for the way electricity is produced. For each one, indicate if that consideration for the way electricity is produced is of top importance to you, medium importance to you, or low importance to you. (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Considerations for Electricity Production: Gender and Education
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Following are some considerations for the way electricity is produced. For each one, indicate if that consideration for the way electricity is produced is of top importance to you, medium importance to you, or low importance to you. (% Top Importance)
Men WomenCollege
Graduates
Not College
Graduates
Reliable electricity 55 58 61 54
Affordable electricity 54 59 58 56
Clean air 51 61 58 55
Efficiency 47 48 50 46
Economic growth 45 42 48 41
Climate change solution 42 46 49 41
Energy security 44 41 49 38
Job creation 42 41 44 40
Resilience 33 31 35 30
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
28
Following are some considerations for the way electricity is produced. For each one, indicate if that consideration for the way electricity is produced is of top importance to you, medium importance to you, or low importance to you. (% Top Importance)
Age: 18-34
Age: 35-49
Age: 50+
Reliable electricity 45 52 69
Affordable electricity 49 53 66
Clean air 56 54 57
Efficiency 43 46 52
Economic growth 40 50 42
Climate change solution 46 45 43
Energy security 34 43 49
Job creation 42 49 36
Resilience 30 36 31
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Considerations for Electricity Production: Age
Considerations for Electricity Production: Biden and Trump Likely Voters
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Following are some considerations for the way electricity is produced. For each one, indicate if that consideration for the way electricity is produced is of top importance to you, medium importance to you, or low importance to you. (% Top Importance)
Biden Likely Voters
Trump Likely Voters
Reliable electricity 60 60
Affordable electricity 60 58
Clean air 68 47
Efficiency 49 51
Economic growth 43 51
Climate change solution 61 31
Energy security 41 50
Job creation 43 46
Resilience 31 37
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Importance Given to Clean Air and Climate Change Solution: Age
30
Following are some considerations for the way electricity is produced. For each one, indicate if that consideration for the way electricity is produced is of top importance to you, medium importance to you, or low importance to you. (%)
11 7 414 9 7
97
5
1212 22
24 3234
29 3429
56 54 5746 45 43
18-34 35-49 50+ 18-34 35-49 50+
Top importance
Medium importance
Low importance
Don't know
Clean air Climate change solution
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Importance Given to Clean Air and Climate Change Solution: Biden and Trump Likely Voters
31
3 5 3 86 8 9
2724
4027
34
6847
61
31
BidenLikelyVoters
TrumpLikelyVoters
BidenLikelyVoters
TrumpLikelyVoters
Top importance
Medium importance
Low importance
Don't know
Clean air Climate change solution
Following are some considerations for the way electricity is produced. For each one, indicate if that consideration for the way electricity is produced is of top importance to you, medium importance to you, or low importance to you. (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
12
2
10
36
39
No opinion
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
76
13
Please indicate if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement. We should take advantage of all carbon-free energy sources including nuclear, hydro, and renewable energy to produce the electricity we need while limiting greenhouse gas emissions. (%)
Support for Carbon-Free Energy Mix, Including Nuclear, Hydro, Renewables
32Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
10
25
26
39
0 25 50
Use only carbon-free nuclear energy
Use only renewable energy sourceslike wind and solar
Use a diverse mix of fossil fuels,nuclear and renewables
Use cleaner energy sources such aswind, solar and nuclear
Primary Focus for Meeting the Nation’s Electricity Needs
Which one of the following should be the primary focus for the United States in meeting the nation’s electricity needs? (%)
33Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
75% chose an option that includes
nuclear energy
Primary Focus for Meeting the Nation’s Electricity Needs: Gender
34
Men Women
Using cleaner energy sources such as wind, solar and nuclear
38 41
Use a diverse mix of fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables
28 24
Use only renewable energy sources like wind and solar
22 27
Use only carbon-free nuclear energy 11 9
% chose an option that includes nuclear energy 77 74
Which one of the following should be the primary focus for the United States in meeting the nation’s electricity needs? (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Primary Focus for Meeting the Nation’s Electricity Needs: Age
35
Age: 18-34
Age: 35-49
Age: 50+
Using cleaner energy sources such as wind, solar and nuclear
35 37 45
Use a diverse mix of fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables
23 26 28
Use only renewable energy sources like wind and solar
26 26 22
Use only carbon-free nuclear energy 16 10 5
% chose an option that includes nuclear energy 74 73 78
Which one of the following should be the primary focus for the United States in meeting the nation’s electricity needs? (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Primary Focus for Meeting the Nation’s Electricity Needs: Biden and Trump Likely Voters
36
Biden Likely Voters
Trump Likely Voters
Using cleaner energy sources such as wind, solar and nuclear
44 35
Use a diverse mix of fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables
18 36
Use only renewable energy sources like wind and solar
29 17
Use only carbon-free nuclear energy 8 11
% chose an option that includes nuclear energy 70 82
Which one of the following should be the primary focus for the United States in meeting the nation’s electricity needs? (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Environmental Advantages of Current or Future Nuclear Power Plants
37
49
50
38
37
33
28
26
30
31
31
12
12
17
18
20
2
3
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
8
8
9
9
11
Extremely important Very important Somewhat important
Not too important Not at all important No opinion
Following are some environmental advantages of current or future nuclear power plants. How important do you consider each one? (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Clean air—emits no air pollution
Clean drinking water— in addition to making electricity, can also convert seawater into safe drinking water
Preservation of natural resources—uses far less land than any other energy source for 24/7 energy
Waste reduction—advanced reactor technologies minimize waste and some use it as fuel
Enabler of renewable energy—Can be co-located with renewable energy sources in flexible integrated energy
systems to ensure reliable electricity when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow
Environmental Advantages of Nuclear Power Plants: Gender and Education
38
Men WomenCollege
GraduatesNot College Graduates
Clean air—emits no air pollution 77 76 81 73
Clean drinking water— in addition to making electricity, can also convert seawater into safe drinking water
75 76 81 73
Preservation of natural resources—uses far less land than any other energy source for 24/7 energy
71 66 74 64
Waste reduction—advanced reactor technologies minimize waste and some use it as fuel
69 67 75 64
Enabler of renewable energy—Can be co-located with renewable energy sources in flexible integrated energy systems to ensure reliable electricity when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow
69 59 73 59
Following are some environmental advantages of current or future nuclear power plants. How important do you consider each one? (%)
% Extremely and Very Important
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Environmental Advantages of Nuclear Power Plants: Age
39
Age: 18-34
Age: 35-49
Age: 50+
Clean air—emits no air pollution 71 78 80
Clean drinking water— in addition to making electricity, can also convert seawater into safe drinking water
72 76 79
Preservation of natural resources—uses far less land than any other energy source for 24/7 energy
62 70 72
Waste reduction—advanced reactor technologies minimize waste and some use it as fuel
67 69 69
Enabler of renewable energy—Can be co-located with renewable energy sources in flexible integrated energy systems to ensure reliable electricity when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow
60 67 66
Following are some environmental advantages of current or future nuclear power plants. How important do you consider each one? (%)
% Extremely and Very Important
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
Environmental Advantages of Nuclear Power Plants: Biden and Trump Likely Voters
40
Biden Likely Voters
Trump Likely Voters
Clean air—emits no air pollution 81 77
Clean drinking water— in addition to making electricity, can also convert seawater into safe drinking water
80 78
Preservation of natural resources—uses far less land than any other energy source for 24/7 energy
74 70
Waste reduction—advanced reactor technologies minimize waste and some use it as fuel
73 70
Enabler of renewable energy—Can be co-located with renewable energy sources in flexible integrated energy systems to ensure reliable electricity when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow
69 68
Following are some environmental advantages of current or future nuclear power plants. How important do you consider each one? (%)
% Extremely and Very Important
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
41
14
4
11
36
34
No opinion
Not at all strongly
Not too strongly
Somewhat strongly
Very strongly
US Leadership In Global Energy Trade
Split sample: How strongly do you believe that the United States of America should be a leader in global nuclear energy trade so that we can influence global nuclear safety and reap economic benefits? (%)
Split sample: How strongly do you believe that the United States of America should be a leader in global nuclear energy trade so that we can influence global nuclear safety and keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists? (%)
12
5
12
33
39
No opinion
Not at all strongly
Not too strongly
Somewhat strongly
Very strongly
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion, June 2020
70%72%
These slides are shown here in PDF for your review and are available in PPT for your presentations by contacting Ann Bisconti ([email protected]) or Sandy
Wilkes ([email protected]).
Bisconti Research, Inc. survey of U.S. public opinion June 2020
